Opera Orlando Presents: Rigoletto!
Opera Orlando Presents: Rigoletto. The Opera closes its 2021-22 Main stage Verdi season with Rigoletto, the composer’s first significant success. This tragic masterpiece portrays the story of a deformed court jester caught in a snare of corruption, lust, and vengeance. Rigoletto goes on stage Friday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 24 at 2 p.m. It will be the first opera ever presented in the new Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
So Many Twists and Turns
Opera Orlando Presents: Rigoletto! “This is a fantastic story with so many twists and turns,” expressed Opera Orlando’s general director Gabriel Preisser. “The Company has assembled an exciting cast that will have you on the edge of your seat with outstanding vocals to christen Steinmetz Hall with opera.”
The production features Korean baritone SeungHyeon Baek in the title role, Metropolitan Opera soprano Lindsay Ohse as Gilda, and renowned tenor Kirk Dougherty as the dastardly Duke of Mantua. This original and thrilling production is led by Metropolitan Opera conductor Gregory Buchalter and directed by international stage director Kathleen Belcher, both making their Opera Orlando debuts.
The story depicts a divided society in a timely and all-too-real manner, sweeping seamlessly between the glitterati social scene and the squalor of those who suffer under the corrupt regime. When the cavalier and nefarious Duke of Mantua sets his sights on an embittered servant’s innocent daughter, her overprotective father will stop at nothing to exact revenge on his powerful boss.
One of the most popular works in the entire operatic repertoire!
“Rigoletto has long been one of the most popular works in the entire operatic repertoire,” Preisser added. “The piece includes some of the most beloved music in opera, such as Act III’s moving quartet and ‘La donnè mobile,’ in which the Duke of Mantua sings of his casual disregard for women.”
Audiences are in for an intense evening of complex characters, an action-packed plot, and unforgettable music. The production will be sung in Italian with English super titles, featuring the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, members of the Opera Orlando Chorus, and dancers from the Orlando Ballet.
Rigoletto is the first opera ever presented in the brand new Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, designed by Barton Myers. The new acoustically advanced theater achieved a rare and exceptional N1 sound rating, making it a unique acoustically dynamic venue, perfect for the opera.
Safety Comes First
Safety continues to be Opera Orlando’s first priority in the presentation of its 2021-22 season. The Company constantly monitors and assesses the development of COVID-19 and other issues related to the virus. The Company continues its consultation with its health partners and venues to implement an appropriate and comprehensive plan to protect and reduce the risk of infection for audience members, cast and production teams, staff, and volunteers. Dr. Philips Center, the venue for Rigoletto, has updated its mask policy, found here:
https://www.DrPhillipsCenter.org/Explore/Health-Safety-Updates/?website-top-banner
Stay up to date with Opera Orlando’s season online at www.Opera Orlando.org, and follow and like the Opera’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. Tickets for Rigoletto are available through the Dr. Phillips Center’s Bill & Mary Darden Box Office (445 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando), online at www.DrPhillipsCenter.org, or by calling (407) 839-0119, ext. 0. See YOU at the Opera!
Many thanks to our 2021-22 season sponsors:
- The Ginsburg Family Foundation, Sun dance Printing, Managed Services Group,
- Walt Disney World resorts, Dr. Phillips Charities, Bogin Munns & Munns, Winter Park Wine,
- Krista & Jonathan Ledden, Laurence J. & Susan Costin
About The Orlando Ballet
Founded in 1974, Orlando Ballet is Central Florida’s only fully residential professional ballet company. Under the helm of Artistic Director Jorden Morris, Orlando Ballet produces year-round main stage productions at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre, featuring timeless masterpieces and innovative contemporary world premieres, achieving the highest level of professionalism and artistic excellence.
Orlando Ballet promotes dance education through community enrichment programs, performance lecture demonstrations, the renowned Orlando Ballet School, and Orlando Ballet II, a second pr-professional company to train and support dancers as they approach the start of their dance careers. For information about Orlando Ballet, please visit OrlandoBallet.org.
Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra is led by Music Director Eric Jacobson. Comprised of creative musicians and artists from around the world. The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s mission is to enrich and inspire the diverse communities of Central Florida through the transformative power of live music, and it presents more than 170 live concerts and impacts more than 70,000 children. Youth and families annually through its Young People’s Concerts, Symphony Story time Series. Notes in Your Neighborhood program, and free outdoor community concerts.
Important Contacts and Info
What: Rigoletto music by Giuseppe Verdi and libretto by Francesco Maria Piave sung in Italian with English super titles.
Where: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Steinmetz Hall
When: Friday | April 22, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. | Sunday, April 24, 2022, at 2 p.m.
More Info: https://operaorlando.org/rigoletto
Tickets: https://bit.ly/OO_Rigoletto
Prices: Starting at $19
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